Red Devils can’t afford to lose to visitors Toulouse
DESPITE starting The Qualifiers with four successive victories, Salford go into tonight’s clash with Toulouse knowing only victory will guarantee it is their final game of the season.
This is the final iteration of the Super 8s system – and having survived in such spectacular fashion against Hull KR two years ago, the Red Devils know all about the Million Pound Game.
The competition is so close this year that even Super League champions Leeds, two points ahead of Ian Watson’s side at the top of The Qualifiers table, are not mathematically safe.
The Rhinos host Toronto tomorrow evening and should the Wolfpack emerge victorious, there is a chance they could drop into the relegation shoot-out on points difference, but this would require a 75-point swing with Hull KR, who take on already-relegated Widnes on Sunday.
Salford’s superior points difference will guarantee them a spot in the top flight next season should they beat Olympique at the AJ Bell.
However, defeat would leave the Red Devils facing up to another MPG appearance should both Toronto and Hull KR win.
Tonight’s visitors will strongly fancy their chances of securing at least a place in the Million Pound Game, knowing that victory would make it highly likely they’d been involved.
Indeed, such is the uncertainty regarding where that promotion/ relegation play-off will be held, it has been scheduled to take place next Sunday evening at 7pm - a time slot that works if the match takes place in England, France or Canada.
Salford’s chances of success have greatly increased with the return of Jackson Hastings to Watson’s 19-man squad after suspension.
The Red Devils had won all five matches the Australian halfback had featured in since arriving at the club at the end of July, but he missed the back-to-back defeats to Leeds and London because of the high hit on Gareth O’Brien towards the end of the club’s win over Toronto earlier this month.
George Griffin has also missed the previous two matches and could be in line to make a return to the first team, while Logan Tomkins is back in contention. The former Wigan hooker had picked up a stress fracture in preseason and been barely able to train all year before succumbing to the injury in early July.
After scoring his side’s two tries on return from injury at London last weekend, Greg Johnson retains his place.